High Court on Thursday has issued notice to seven contestants mentioned in the petition of Sandeepani mutt seer Esha Vittaldas Swamiji, who has been leading the protest against the proposed projects on Kodachadri, stated release from the mutt.

The seer had filed a petition in the HC targeting the Environment department, district administration, Mines and Geological department for their neutrality against the proposed projects in the name of development in Kodachadri.

The petition had urged the court to stay the planned projects like roads and resorts on the mountain which would spoil the beauty of the nature. Esha Vittaldas Swamiji is leading the Kodachadri Horata Samiti.

A one-member bench of the High Court chaired by S A Nazeer served notice to the said contestants namely, the chief secretary of the State, Chief Conservator of Forests, Commissioner of Tourism department, Commissioner of Mines and Geological department, Deputy Directors of Environment department, Regional Tourism department and Deputy Commissioner of Shimoga district. Senior advocate Y N Nagaraj is advocating on behalf of the Samiti.

Thursday’s development is the primary victory for the committee’s struggle, stated the seer in the release.